BlackHorse Golf Club hosts NFL Coaches Association

Steve Love

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, February 3, 2004

With the invasion of Super Bowl XXXVIII, Houston was practically swarming with NFL coaches, players and other celebrities ready to break out their clubs for the charity event. Aside from the golfing, there were raffles and other opportunities to contribute as well.

"The purpose of all this is to raise funds and awareness for youth football programs," said Larry Kennan, executive director of the NFL Coaches Association. "It's also fun and fellowship."

The Touchdown Foundation is a non-profit organization that believes the game of football can reveal talents in young children and teach them lessons for lifelong success. Through its programs, NFL coaches train youth football coaches on ways to preserve the quality and positive influence of the sport. The Touchdown Foundation also seeks to establish youth football programs where none exist, beginning with inner-cities that have an NFL team.

Kennan said the organization's goal for the event was to raise at least $700,000. Early in the morning, he was confident that the goal had already been surpassed, but said he would know for certain by the end of the day.

"That money will then go from us to programs for youth," he said. "There's no hidden agenda."

Though the fund raiser was not intended to be a celebrity event, Kennan said it was inevitable since they have so many well-known contacts.

Several other fundraising events scheduled this year should help the Touchdown Foundation gain momentum and achieve its goals of promoting the football experience with inner-city youth. The next stop is already set for New York City in April.

"This is only the second event we've done for the Touchdown Foundation," he said. "And we'll be coming back to Houston in the future.